Congregation Beis Menachem 2100 E. Lincoln Drive Phoenix, Arizona 85016 Following is the text of a letter sent on February 10, 1995 to the Bloom Archives by Ms. Sheila Smolensky, Public Relations Officer for Congregation Beis Menachem. In January, 1995, Chabad of Phoenix celebrated its eighteenth year of existence. Within the Chabad of Greater Phoenix Center is located the shul which, until recently went under the name of Congregation Tiphereth IsraeL It now operates under the name of Beis Menachem in honor of the present Lubavitch Rebbe. Chabad is an organization that works to perpetuate Jewish continuity. Its philosophy is to accept every individual, regardless of who they are or where they come from. It prides itself on making everyone who comes through the doors of Chabad feel comfortable. As Rabbi Levertov says, "You don't have to be Orthodox to belong to Chabad. Everyone is welcome." [11K] Rabbi Zalman Levertov of the Chabad recalls that eighteen years ago, which then corresponded to the section in the Torah called "B'Shalach," (the story of Moses leading the exodus ofthe Jews from Egypt) he as a young rabbi and his wife, Tzipporah, also were sent out to the desert. This time it was to the desert of Phoenix, Arizona. Rabbi and Mrs. Levertov were married in September, 1975 and after one year of studying at the Kolel of Chabad in New York, Rabbi Levertov presented himself to Lubavitch headquarters in New York and asked for an assignment. He was informed that there was a position in Phoenix, Arizona as the Rebbe's Regional Director and representative. The young couple decided to accept the assignment. Meeting Rabbi and Mrs. Levertov at the airport was Mr. Nat Tager, who remains a supporter of Chabad. Others who offered friendship and hospitality to the Levertov's were Rachel and her late husband, Matthew Ritchie, the late Jack Cohen, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Bickart, Chabad supporter and legal counsel. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Grodzinsky, Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Muller, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Jerzy, Al and Bernie Gross, Fruma Spiller and Mr. Zelig Toporek, as well as many others who have also been supporters since Chabad's inception in Phoenix. An inauspicious beginning for Chabad in Phoenix began at a rented facility on Third Avenue south of McDowell. The Levertov's, meanwhile, took up residence in Tempe with the help of realtor, Joyce Paule. From there they worked with students at ASU and shortly thereafter, Chabad expanded and then acquired a facility m Phoenix located at East Maryland Avenue. The Levertov family also expanded; one daughter and six sons. Among the first state-wide projects for the organization was the distribution of Purim kits to Jewish students throughout the state from Nogales to Flagstaff. The first community-wide effort was a public seder which included sixty Israeli Air Force personnel stationed at Luke Air Force Base. Chabad Centers were subsequently established; eleven years ago in Tucson under the leadership of Rabbi Yossi Shemtov and another center in Scottsdale under the leadership of Rabbi; Yossi Levertov, younger brother of Rabbi Zalman Levertov. [30K] Dedication of Chabad Center, Spring 1991. From left to right: Mike Simonson, Igor Zamushkin, Jack Grudzinsky, Zakai Peri, Rabbi Sholom Levertov, and Irwin Scarf. In 1991, after massive fund raising efforts, Rabbi Levertov initiated the move of Chabad to the present location at 2110 E. Lincoln Drive in Phoenix. The Chabad Center offers a Chabad Talmud Torah for children on Sundays and Wednesdays, holds daily minion both mornings and evenings, Shabbat services, Shabbatons for adult studies, visitation to small communities throughout the state, holiday awareness programs, programs for special events, chaplaincy visits to hospitals and prisons and a lunch and learn program for two area high schools, Central High School and Chaparral High School. Monthly pot-luck kiddushes are popular with members and guests. A fiully-stocked gift shop at the Center offers a wide selection of books for children and adults as well as gift and ritual items. Chabad manages a cemetery and distributes calendars for the Jewish new year throughout the community. Counseling is available at Chabad at all levels and students from area universities are encouraged to participate in Shabbat services and avail themselves of home hospitality. There is a wide variety of adult classes held at the Center throughout the week, at both daytime and evenings. Recently immigrated Russian Jews are helped with job placement, social activities and there are prayer books in Russian and Hebrew to be used for both Shabbos and holidays. Presently the Center is working on expanding their library which will include adding books covering a wide variety of subjects plus video tapes and cassette tapes and a computer learning center, demonstrating foresight and commitment to the entire Jewish Community. One of the more important projects recently entered upon by Chabad of Greater Phoenix is the construction of a new, modern mikveh for use by the entire community. As of 1995 the mikveh building, which is separate from the Chabad Center itself, but located adjacent to the main building is complete and work continues on the inside. Plumbing is almost installed and two dressing rooms are to be included in the finished building. It is hoped that completion will take place during 1995. The staff at the Chabad Center of Greater Phoenix includes Rabbi Zalman Levertov, Tzipporah Levertov/School Director, Mindy Wolfe and Yaffa Smolensky/Public Relations, Haddasah Beck/Secretary, Muriel Beck/Chabad Women's Organization and Rachel Garcia/Kitchen Manager.   Chabad-Lubavitch is an international movement with headquarters in New York. Its major thrust focuses on observing for one's self and transmitting to others the beauty, depth, awareness and joy inherent in the Torah-true way of life. For more information, see the Chabad-Lubavitch's website.